Being a teenager is one of the most difficult life stages. Just ask any parent of a teenager. Their bodies are changing, their appearance is changing and their hormones are raging. They are extremely sensitive and yet completely insensitive, they are absorbed in themselves and their social lives and how they look and how many people are looking. It’s a stage of life we all remember but it’s a stage that has becoming increasingly difficult as a result of social media. Yes, another thing to blame on social media. It used to be that we looked in the mirror and…
So should you make the switch from your current device to the Pixel 2? I can truly say that I love the phone. I am somewhat of a technology geek so quite frankly even the smallest of new features excites me, but this phone packs a punch in terms of new functionality. These devices have become our lifelines, we may as well get them to do as much as possible for us. It’s like having a personal assistant in your pocket. Who wouldn’t pay a little extra for that luxury?
It’s August and we’re halfway through 2017. That can only mean one thing: School’s about to start in a few weeks, and mom and dad are running around trying to fill the rest of the family summer vacation calendar with enough activities to keep kids busy for the next 30 days. Most parents take this time to enroll their kids into additional camps ranging from your standard day camp that offer a variety of activities, to specialty camps for science and dance that tend to have more concentrated focus. Family vacations usually get squeezed in somewhere in between along with…
In 1996 a young brash, load mouth kid from the Los Angeles, California became the number one overall draft pick in the NFL draft that year. Keyshawn Johnson, the unforgettable wide receiver out of the University of Southern California was selected by the New York Jets and immediately became a polarizing figure in not just pro football, but in all of pro sports. He followed a much maligned rookie season with the release of his critically acclaimed book “Just Give Me the Damn Ball!: Fast Times and Hard Knocks of an NFL Rookie”, where he was critical of teammates and…
By Kids in Danger As the warmer weather settles in, families will be spending more time outside to soak up the sun and play in the water. Whether your family prefers the beach or the pool, there are a few safety considerations to be aware of. When people think of water safety, they know that supervision is key. However, supervision is just one aspect of water safety. Accidental drownings don’t always happen the way we see them depicted on TV and in movies. Often, accidental drownings happen very quickly and silently. Supervision, swimming and CPR/first aid education, and product safety…
By Kids in Danger Deciding where to your child for child care can be a nerve-wracking process. With so many things to consider, it can be hard to remember all the questions to ask when considering your options. Safety is one consideration and this checklist can help you evaluate safety as you make your choice. First, take the time to ask about safety practices at your child’s facility. In 2014, KID released a report that found that 49% of child care providers report seeing at least one recalled or otherwise prohibited product. Thirty-seven percent of providers indicated that they had…
We’ve all been at a wedding, a funeral, or in church when a toddler decides that it is their time to wallop, yelp, or run amuck. Often times the parents are stunned and don’t know how to handle the situation at hand; Even reading how to deal with them can be hit or miss, but I can guarantee that you’ll find something of value to help handle these awkward, tricky situations. Why Do Children Throw Tantrums? Most children and toddlers throw tantrums in order to exhibit their feelings. Since their communication is usually not developed to the point where they…
By Kids in Danger Many parents and caregivers feel the need to nest to create a peaceful space for newborn children. Yet, with so many hazardous products on the market, and mixed messages coming from advertisers, creating a nursery inspired by safe sleep does require a little extra effort. This blog post will share tips for better understanding safe sleep and creating a safe sleep environment for the infants in your life. Why is Safe Sleep Important? Safe sleep strategies protect babies from Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) and other hazards. The most up-to-date research about safe sleep suggests…
It’s probably the most important day of your life, and we leave no stone unturned when it comes to planning everything perfectly. From the first course of food to the last couple’s song of the night. Your wedding reception offers you the opportunity to revel in the experiences you’ve had to this point and the life you’re planning to continue with your special someone in the years to come. The reception is also the time you get to thank everyone for their support in getting here. What We Should Consider You know that everyone will be watching you, and you’ve…
I’m at work, it’s March Break and the kids are home for a week. I get a call from my wife who runs and operates her own business sometimes from home. “Your son wants to go dumpster diving.” “Huh?” “You heard me,” she continued. “Dumpster diving.” “Why?” “He says it could make him money. He can do it as a business.” “Um, okay I guess. But I’d have to come with him to be safe.” This is just one of the many conversations that go on in my home. Our kids forever brainstorming ideas on how to make money, pitching…
By Kids In Danger March is Illinois Poison Prevention Month, and March 19-25 is National Poison Prevention Week. Staying up to date on common poisoning hazards can keep children safe and prevent trips to the doctor or hospital. Liquid Nicotine E-cigarettes and liquid nicotine refills pose a unique danger to children. Liquid nicotine is packaged in colorful, bright plastic and comes in fruity, sweet flavors (such as cotton candy or bubble gum). This makes it very likely children will be drawn to these products or mistake them for candy. If ingested, liquid nicotine can cause serious damage quickly. Recently, a…
Simple and comforting – this Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup involves almost no effort, and is the perfect comforting dinner on a cool winter night. Making chicken noodle soup in the slow cooker is so simple, and has minimal mess which is a huge plus at dinner time. To make dinner even easier, cook your egg noodles ahead of time so that at dinner you can just toss them in the soup to heat up and serve. Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup is a classic that takes minimal effort and ends with tender chicken, soft veggies, and pure deliciousness. This recipe is one…
Spring is almost here, and with it comes the urge to purge and rejuvenate. De-cluttering has amazing benefits for a positive mindset, clarity and calmness, as there’s a direct link between reducing physical clutter and clearing mental clutter. Plus, less “stuff” means less to clean and fuss over. A huge win for all! Here’s a room-by-room guide of things to purge for a clutter-free home, including responsible, eco-friendly disposal guidelines: 1) Bedroom: – Free-Up closet space by removing anything you, your spouse/mate or your kids haven’t worn in a year or more and anything that has stains or rips. Sort items into…
Potato Skins are a classic appetizer and are super easy to make. Plus everything can be made and prepped ahead of time to make cooking them even easier. I really don’t think that an appetizer can get easier than this. It all starts with baking your potatoes. Once your potatoes are cooled, all you need to do is scoop, top and bake! And, if you’re following the recipe and not adding your own toppings, you get to eat bacon while you’re cooking! I love that these Potato Skins can be prepared ahead of time, so that right before the game…
Use up over ripe bananas with this quick and easy Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. I usually make banana bread when I have any bananas that are a little too brown, but I wanted to make something different, and this ended up as Banana Cake. The cake gets its sweetness from the bananas, as there is little sugar added to the recipe! But what makes this cake so light and fluffy is the vanilla yogurt. It works as a fantastic substitute for sour cream in a recipe, and takes desserts to the next level. You’re going to love this cake!…
Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki is so easy to make, and involves minimal effort! This is a recipe that I feel like I have been trying to share for a long while now, and I have finally pulled it together, and have it to share. As I am sure you can tell, I love my slow cooker. It makes dinner time so easy, especially when you are a working Mom/Dad and have kids with 100000 things on their schedules. Being able to prep a dish the night before or in the morning and coming home to dinner ready takes so much…
Cauliflower Fried Rice couldn’t be easier, and takes almost no time to make! So, if you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner, this recipe is for you! Best of all, it’s super healthy! I’ve been on a huge cauliflower kick lately, and wanted to try cauliflower rice, and I am glad I did! It took about 20 minutes from start to finish to cook a chicken breast, make cauliflower “rice” and whip it all up into one delicious dish! Cauliflower has tons of health benefits, making this recipe pretty much guilt free! So eat it up! Making the cauliflower rice…
By Kids In Danger Many of us are ready for winter to be over, but the groundhog saw his shadow – plenty of cold weather days lie ahead. Wearing lots of extra layers and spending time outside in the cold and snow are certainly part of the season, but they can present a unique host of safety risks. Stay prepared with these tips: Drawstrings: Drawstrings found in winter coats, sweatshirts and other clothing items pose a strangulation hazard for children, and they can dangerously catch onto other items. Avoid this hazard by pulling or cutting drawstrings out of children’s clothing.…
Let’s face it, hair care for busy Moms is tough in the best of times, add to it the havoc cold, dry Winter air wrecks on our locks, and well, it can seem like a lot of effort to keep our tresses healthy until warmer weather returns. I am no hair expert, but I do have a tiny obsession with keeping my hair healthy year-round and swear by some simple, low maintenance, budget-friendly methods to achieve it. Here are 7 tips for maintaining gorgeous hair in the cold Winter months: 1) Avoid over-washing your hair – 2-3 times per week…